Child-oriented computing facilities

Abstract

An aspect of the present invention relates to methods and systems for providing a child-oriented computing system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 60 / 663,215, filed Mar. 18, 2005 and U.S. App. No. 60 / 742,976, filed on Dec. 6, 2005. The entire contents of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to methods and systems involving providing a child-oriented computing system, and more particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to software systems adapted to facilitate child-oriented computing activities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is well known that personal computing devices, when used in conjunction with the Internet, provide vast opportunities for learning, entertainment, communication, receiving timely information, accessing electronic / informational services, and so forth. It seems that everyone, from schoolchildren through elderly people, is increasingly using personal computing devices in the course of their daily activities, for work and for pleasure. Th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] In embodiments the user interface and content for the system may be adaptive and may change automatically, with user triggers, based on events, such as the age of a child or the user interface and content may change based on another parameter. For example, as a child celebrates a birthday or the child achieves a certain level of competence, the device may make available new applications, such as instant messenger, or access to age-appropriate games and contents. Also, the content of applications may become more sophisticated and robust, such as offering other buttons and controls that are hidden for younger children.

[0015] In embodiments, the user interface may provide an access control feature, which may present a child with a number of pictorial challenges in lieu of requiring the child to enter a password to gain access to the system.

[0016] In embodiments the device may include the capability to be provided with a personalized or customized exterior, such as with printable slide in panels that allow a user to change the “skin” of the device cheaply and conveniently. In embodiments the “skins” can be silk screened for convenient interchanging of styles and colors.

[0019] In embodiments, the computing facility may consist of parts and part combinations that provide a curved, recessed, raised, painted, or other appearance, which may be directed at being attractive to a child. The parts and part combinations may also be designed to shed liquids away from electrical parts, should liquids be spilled on the computing facility. The parts and part combinations may provide a pivot or tilt that provides an improved viewing angle with respect to a monitor of the computing facility and a user of the computing facility.

[0021] In embodiments, the computing facility may provide increased reliability as compared with analogous facilities directed at adults. In one embodiment, this increased reliability is provided by computing facility's automatic storage of digital content from a physical medium into a local storage facility of the computing facility.

[0024] In embodiments, the child-oriented computing system may provide a parental community that may enable parents to communicate with each other.

Problems solved by technology

This increased use of personal computing devices by children creates a challenge for parents, who may wish to monitor or filter the information to which a child has access.

Unfortunately, a modern personal computing device typically does not provide a parent with the controls that would allow him to define a policy relating to how a child may use the personal computing device.

The hardware is typically sensitive to environmental conditions—cell phones fail when dropped in water, DVDs fail when scratched, and so forth.

The software is typically loaded with features that, even when they work as advertised, are often hard to learn, explain, understand, or fully utilize.

Unfortunately, it is not safe to assume that a child can provide the level of care or cognition required to effectively operate most personal computing devices.

Images